Device for interrupting or completing an electric circuit

ABSTRACT

A device for interrupting or completing an electric circuit is disclosed having a male plug member and a female socket member. In combination, the male plug and female socket contain means for altering the voltage of an electric circuit, i.e., increasing or decreasing the voltage of an electric circuit, means for rectifying the altered current, means for storing the rectified voltage, and means for transmitting the rectified and stored voltage to energize at least one contact in an electric circuit. In alternate embodiments, the device contains a plurality of normally open (NO) and/or normally closed (NC) contacts which can be energized to concurrently interrupt and/or complete a plurality of electric circuits.

United States Patent 1 1 Nocerino 1 1 DEVICE FOR INTERRUPTING ()R C()l\III.ETIN(1 AN ELECTRIC CIRCUIT [76] Inventor: Anthony J. Nocerino, 15 Bartow St..

Staten Island. NY. 10308 [22 Filed: Aug. 12. I974 [21] Appl. No.: 496.339

[52] C.S. Cl. 317/134; 340/64 [51] Int. Cl." HOIH 47/00 [58] Field of Search 317/134; 200/42 R; 340/64 [56] References Cited L'NITED STATES PATENTS 2.868.905 1/1959 Meyer 200/42 R 2.921.152 1/1960 Simjian 1 317/134 3.004.170 10/1961 Greenspan... 307/10 AT 3.392.558 7/1968 Hedin et al.. 317/134 3.608.342 9/1971 Katz 317/134 3.686.659 8/1972 Bostrom 317/134 1 1 Dec. 2, 1975 Primary Ii.\'amim'rR. N. Envall, Jr. Attorney, Agent, or I-irm-Salvatore C. Mitri [57] ABSTRACT A device for interrupting or completing an electric circuit is disclosed having a male plug member and a female socket member. In combination, the male plug and female socket contain means for altering the volt age of an electric circuit. increasing or decreasing the voltage of an electric circuit. means for rectifying the altered current, means for storing the rectified voltage, and means for transmitting the rectified and stored voltage to energize at least one contact in an electric circuit. In alternate embodiments. the device contains a plurality of normally open (NO) and/or normally closed (NC) contacts which can he energized to concurrently interrupt and/or complete a plurality of electric circuits.

10 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures US. Patent Dec. 2, 1975 3,924,162

DEVICE FOR INTERRUPTING OR COMPLETING AN ELECTRIC CIRCUIT This invention relates to a device for interrupting or completing an electric circuit. More particularly, the device of this invention relates to an electric key that is tamperproof and foolproof and which can be adapted to open normally closed circuits, close normally open circuits or do both concurrently.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The use of electric keys and locks and plug and socket means for opening and closing various types of electric circuits is known in the art. For example, it is known to use a multiple contact plug and socket, commonly referred to as a Cannon plug, in an electric lock and alarm system and render the device tamperproof by means of variable wiring of the plug and/or socket as is disclosed in US. Pat. No. 3,714,628 to Sloger.

It is also known to provide a resistance-responsive control circuit that is rendered tamperproof by means of a combination consisting of gates formed by resistances, transistors and diodes which are reactive to a relaxing oscillator as is disclosed in US. Pat. No. 3,628,099 to Atkins et al.

Other prior art disclosures representative of the state of this art include US. Pat. Nos. 3,382,494 to Mahacsek, 3,004,170 to Greenspan, 2,921,152 to Simjian and 2,868,905 to Meyer.

In general, these prior art electrical devices are complex, costly to manufacture and are usually assembled to perform only one operative function at a time, i.e., either open or close an electric circuit, but not both open and/or close two or more circuits concurrently. It would be desireable, therefore, to manufacture an electric key-type device that is of simple construction, readily assemblable, economical to produce and whose circuitry can be easily modified to open or close, or concurrently both open and close, electric circuits.

THE INVENTION These desireable features are now afforded by the device of this invention which consists of a male plug and a mating female socket, one being incorporated in an existing electric circuit while the other is of a size and shape so that it can be readily carried about in the pocket, handbag, purse, or the like of a user. In general, the device of the invention, consisting of the combination of the plug and socket, comprises means for altering the voltage of an electric current; means for rectifying the altered voltage; means for storing the rectified voltage; and, means for transmitting the rectified, stored voltage to energize at least one contact in an electric circuit.

The means for altering the voltage of an electric current can conveniently be either a step-up or step-down transformer; the means for rectifying the altered voltage is preferably a diode; the means for storing the rectified voltage can be either a condenser or capacitor; the means for transmitting the stored, rectified voltage can be a relay coil; and, the contact that is energized can be one that is either normally open (NO) or normally closed (NC) or both NO and NC contacts.

Either the plug or the socket of the device can be the male member and each can be of any convenient size and shape. For purposes of economy and ease of manufacture and assembly, the plug is the male component and is of the commonly referred to Cannon type plug while the socket is the female member formed in the shape of a thick disc.

In its simplest form, the plug of the device (the male member) has at least two leads terminating in the form of pins and includes in its circuitry the transformer, condenser, relay coil and at least one contact while the socket (the female member) has at least two recess pins for accepting the pins of the plug and carries only the diode in its circuitry. The circuitry of the plug and the socket are such that they must be mated before the contact in the plug is energized. Thus, the device is rendered completely foolproof and tamperproof for even if the circuitry of the plug became known, it would not be operative without including the diode carried by the socket.

In one embodiment, the plug includes a plurality of pins, some of which are connected to leads in its circuit while others are not and serve to thereby act as dummies. Accordingly, the socket contains an equal number of recess pins comprising live leads and dummy leads thereby rendering the device even more foolproof and tamperproof. In this embodiment, the diode can alternatively be included in the circuitry of the plug so that the socket contains only those leads necessary to complete the circuit when the plug and socket are mated.

In another embodiment, the relay coil can be of the double pole, double throw type so that it can energize a plurality of both NO and NC contacts concurrently.

As can be seen, the device of the invention, in addition to being easy and economical to manufacture, permits a great deal of flexibility in its assembly, operation and construction and yet can be made completely tamperproof and foolproof. The embodiments of the device generally described hereinabove lend themselves most readily for use in such circuits as are found in homes, office buildings, offices, and the like, as well as in such installations as electric vaults, safes, burglar alarm and warning systems, and the like.

The device of the invention is also adaptable in other types of circuits. For example, it can be incorporated in the ignition and/or burglar alarm systems of cars, trucks and other vehicles. In this embodiment, the plug (male member) generally comprises a circuit having appropriate leads terminating in pins, a relay coil of fixed voltage capacity having at least one NC or NO contact, and a plurality of dry cell batteries which collectively have a limited voltage capacity. The socket (female member) generally comprises a circuit having appropriate leads terminating in recess pins to receive the pins of the plug, and at least one dry cell battery of fixed voltage, the cumulative voltage in the batteries of the plug and socket, when these members are joined together, being sufficient to energize the relay coil in the plug and thereby activate the NC or NO contact.

The device of the invention will become more clear from the ensuing description which is directed to the embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIGS. 1 and 1a are each schematic plan views of the plug (male member) and-its circuitry and the socket (female member) and its circuitry, respectively, comprising one embodiment of the device of the invention;

FIGS. 2 and 2a are each views similar to FIGS. 1 and 1a, respectively, illustrating another embodiment of the invention; and,

FIGS. 3 and 3a are also each views similar to FIGS. 1 and 1a, respectively, illustrating still another embodiment of the invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, an electric current, which can be part of any circuit typically carrying 110 volts alternating current (AC), is indicated at and is connected to the primary side 11a of a step-down transformer 11 such as the magnetic step-down transformer shown in FIG. 1. Upon passing through the secondary side 11b of the transformer, the incoming ll0volt AC is stepped down to, for example, 6.3 volts AC.

One lead 12 of the circuit from the transformer secondary side 1112 is connected directly to one side of plug 14 which is of the Cannon type having male pins 15. The other lead 13 from the transformer secondary side 11b is connected to a condenser 16 having a 12 volt capacity and then to the other side of plug 14. Condenser 16 is connected in parallel to a relay coil 17 which is shown having a normally closed (NC) contact 18. Relay coil 17 can be of the double pole, double throw type and can, therefore. include both normally closed (NC) and/or normally open (NO) contacts (not shown) thereby enabling both types of contacts to be actuated.

In FIG. 1a, a disc-shaped socket 19 is shown having leads 12a,l 30 corresponding to leads 12 and 13 of plug 14 to complete the circuitry when plug 14 and socket 19 are coupled. Socket 19 carries a diode 20 in its circuitry and is equipped with recess pins 21 for receiving pins 15 of plug 14 when socket 19 and plug 14 are coupled to actuate the device.

When plug 14 is coupled to socket 19 thereby completing the circuit of the two members comprising the device, diode rectifies the 6.3 volts AC to 6.3 volts direct current (DC) and condenser 16 filters and stores the 6.3 volts DC until a voltage level of 9 to 10 volts is reached. At this voltage level, relay coil 17 is energized to open NC contact 18 thereby opening or interrupting a desired circuit. Thus. the voltage in the circuit of the plug 14 is not converted from AC to DC until the socket 19 is coupled to it and thereby places diode 20 in the circuit. as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 1, whereupon relay coil 17 is energized and NC contact is opened. As diode 20 is carried in socket 19. this renders the device tamperproof, even if one were to learn the circuitry of plug 14.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 2a. diode 20 and condenser 16 are both placed in the circuit of the socket 19 as illustrated in FIG. 2a thereby making the device even more tamperproof and foolproof. In this embodiment. the device would function in the same way as described above when plug 14 and socket 19 are coupled so that leads 12.13 and 1211.13 a complete the circuit and thereby place diode 20 and condenser 16 in the completed circuit as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 2.

In either of the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 1a and FIGS. 2 and 20. opening or closing of a circuit is not achieved until socket 19 is placed in the circuit. Since. in each embodiment. diode 20 is carried in socket 19 and since socket 19 is of a size and shape intended to be carried by a person in his pocket or purse. the device is literally tatnperprool'.

LII

The tamperproof and foolproof properties of the device can be increased even more by placing additional dummy leads across the circuit of the plug and including a corresponding number of dummy pins in the plug. For example, leads 22 and 23 can be placed in the circuitry of plug 14 as indicated in FIG. 1 at points 24 and 25, respectively. Leads 22 and 23 can then be used to carry the 6.3 volt AC to additional pairs of pins as indicated at 26 and 26a, 27 and 27a and 28 and 280. Thus, all pins in the circuit of plug 14 will have a current of 6.3 volts AC. but only one pair of pins. as at 15, will be in the circuit enabling relay coil 17 to be energized when socket 19 is placed in the circuit. Consequently, the other pairs of pins, i.e., 26,26a. 27.27a and 28,28a. serve as dummy pins thereby making it even more'difficult to uncover which pair or pairs of pins in plug 14 are in the circuit and will energize relay coil 17.

It will be apparent that for purposes of clarity and simplicity, dummy pins 26,26a, 27.27a and 28,28a have been schematically shown, but it should be understood that when this embodiment is used. these pairs of dummy pins are also carried in plug 14 along with pins 15 and additional recess pins are provided in socket 19 as indicated at 29 to accomodate these extra dummy pins. It will also be apparent that one or more pairs of these extra pins can be made "live" by placing them in the circuit formed by leads 12,13 in the same way as are pins 15.

To facilitate coupling plug 14 and socket 19 to each other, it is advantageous to provide a male key in plug 14 as shown in dotted lines at 30 and a corresponding keyway in socket 19 as shown in dotted lines at 31. This arrangement is particularly useful when plug 14 and socket 19 are formed to have a plurality of dummy and- /or live pins and dummy and/or live recessed pins. respectively. or when attempting to couple plug 14 and socket 19 together in the dark as the key 30 and keyway 31 will facilitate proper alignment and coupling of these members.

While the embodiments of the device illustrated in FIGS. 1 and la and FIGS. 2 and 20 can readily be used in homes. offices. office buildings. and the like. the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 3a is more readily adaptable for use in cars. trucks. and other vehicles.

As illustrated in FIG. 3. the circuit of plug 14 includes a relay coil 32 having a 4 to 6 volt DC capacity and an NC contact 18. This circuit also includes a pair of dry cell batteries 33.34 each of which has a 1.5 volt DC capacity. The circuit of socket l9 similarly includes a dry cell battery of 1.5 volt DC capacity as at 35. Thus. when socket 19 is coupled with plug 14. the 1.5 volt battery 35 in socket 19 is connected in series with the two 1.5 volt batteries 33 and 34 in plug 14 to provide a total of 4.5 volts whereupon relaycoil 32 is energized to open NC contact 18. In this embodiment. dummy pins and dummy recess pins can also be provided in plug 14 and socket 19. respectively. in the same manner as described above with respect to the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 1a and FIGS. 2 and 2a.

While the invention has been described with particularity and in some detail. it should be understood that various changes and modifications can be made, therein in addition to those that have been suggested and illustrated hereinabove. For example. additional tamperprootness and t'oolproot'ness can be obtained by inserting a fuse in the secondary side of the transformer when the device contains dummy leads and pins so that any tampering with the dummy leads and/or pins would short out the fuse. In addition, two or more dummy pins could be wired so as to set off an alarm if the thusly wired pins are connected together. Thus, such changes and modifications will become apparent to and can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A device for interrupting or completing an electric circuit comprising a male plug and a disc shaped female socket, said socket having a diode for rectifying the voltage from said electric circuit after said voltage has been reduced, said plug being incorporated in said electric circuit and having a step-down transformer to reduce said electric current, a condenser for storing said reduced voltage after it has been rectified by said diode, and a relay coil for transmitting said reduced and rectified voltage to energize at least one contact therein such that said electric circuit is opened or closed.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said relay coil is of the double pole, double throw type having a plurality of normally open and normally closed contacts and said plug is incorporated into a plurality of electric circuits some of which are opened and others of which are closed when said normally open and normally closed contacts are energized.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein said socket includes said diode and said condenser and said plug contains said transformer and said relay coil.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein said socket and said plug each include a plurality of live leads and dummy leads, said plug having a number of pins corresponding to the total of said live and dummy leads therein and said socket having a number of recess pins corresponding to the total of said live and dummy leads therein.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein said socket has a keyway and said plug has a key to facilitate quick coupling of said plug and socket.

6. A device for interrupting or completing an electric circuit comprising a male plug member and a female socket member, one of said members having a relay coil of fixed voltage capacity and at least one contact; and, a plurality of dry cell batteries which collectively have a limited voltage capacity, and said other member having at least one dry cell battery of fixed voltage capacity such that when said male and female members are coupled, the cumulative voltage in all of said batteries is sufficient to energize said contact.

7. The device of claim 6 wherein said one member is said male plug in the form of a Cannon plug having a plurality of pins at least two of which are connected to live leads within said plug, and said other member is said female socket in the form of a thick disc having a plurality of recess pins at least two of which are connected to live leads within said socket.

8. The device of claim 6 wherein said plug and said socket each include a plurality of live leads and dummy leads, said plug having a number of pins corresponding to the total of said live and dummy leads therein and said socket having a number of recess pins corresponding to the total of said live and dummy leads therein.

9. The device of claim 6 wherein the voltage capacity of each of said dry cell batteries is about 1.5 and the voltage capacity of said relay coil is about 4 to 6.

10. The device of claim 7 wherein said socket has a keyway and said plug has a key to facilitate quick coupling of said plug and socket. 

1. A device for interrupting or completing an electric circuit comprising a male plug and a disc shaped female socket, said socket having a diode for rectifying the voltage from said electric circuit after said voltage has been reduced, said plug being incorporated in said electric circuit and having a stepdown transformer to reduce said electric current, a condenser for storing said reduced voltage after it has been rectified by said diode, and a relay coil for transmitting said reduced and rectified voltage to energize at least one contact therein such that said electric circuit is opened or closed.
 2. The device of claim 1 wherein said relay coil is of the double pole, double throw type having a plurality of normally open and normally closed contacts and said plug is incorporated into a plurality of electric circuits some of which are opened and others of which are closed when said normally open and normally closed contacts are energized.
 3. The device of claim 1 wherein said socket includes said diode and said condenser and said plug contains said transformer and said relay coil.
 4. The device of claim 1 wherein said socket and said plug each include a plurality of live leads and dummy leads, said plug having a number of pins corresponding to the total of said live and dummy leads therein and said socket having a number of recess pins corresponding to the total of said live and dummy leads therein.
 5. The device of claim 1 wherein said socket has a keyway and said plug has a key to facilitate quick coupling of said plug and socket.
 6. A device for interrupting or completing an electric circuit comprising a male plug member and a female socket member, one of said members having a relay coil of fixed voltage capacity and at least one contact; and, a plurality of dry cell batteries which collectively have a limited voltage capacity, and said other member having at least one dry cell battery of fixed voltage capacity such that when said male and female members are coupled, the cumulative voltage in all of said batteries is sufficient to energize said contact.
 7. The device of claim 6 wherein said one member is said male plug in the form of a Cannon plug having a plurality of pins at least two of which are connected to live leads within said plug, and said other member is said female socket in the form of a thick disc having a plurality of recess pins at least two of which are connected to live leads within said socket.
 8. The device of claim 6 wherein said plug and said socket each include a plurality of live leads and dummy leads, said plug having a number of pins corresponding to the total of said live and dummy leads therein and said socket having a number of recess pins corresponding to the total of said live and dummy leads therein.
 9. The device of claim 6 wherein the voltage capacity of each of said dry cell batteries is about 1.5 and the voltage capacity of said relay coil is about 4 to
 6. 10. The device of claim 7 wherein said socket has a keyway and said plug has a key to facilitate quick coupling of said plug and socket. 